The U.S. Postal Service is seeking permission to impose a fuel surcharge on parcel products for the first time ever to cover soaring transportation costs for gasoline and diesel fuel, which have jumped more than 30% since the invasion of Iran by the United States and Israel nearly a month ago. Parcel shipments would be charged an 8% fee, on top of their regular transportation charge, if the fee is approved. The quasi-private agency on Wednesday sought permission from the Postal Regulatory Commission for a time-limited price adjustment on parcel shipments because of rapidly changing market prices for fuel. It would be the first time in its history that the Postal Service has applied a fuel fee, a common practice with private carriers like DHL, FedEx and UPS. The Postal Service also said that the temporary surcharge would help it transition to a permanent mechanism for imposing surcharges on competitive products to support its universal service obligation in a more financially sustainable way. Last fiscal year, the USPS lost $9 billion, with an operating loss of about $2.7 billion. The 8% planned price change, which was approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on Tuesday, would affect base postage prices Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. The price change is scheduled to go into effect on April 26 and remain in place through Jan. 17, 2027. At that time, the Postal Service can determine if a different long-term approach is needed. Nearly all USPS…
